He thought for a moment and then said, "Jiayi and Liu Yang have stayed in Quanzhou. My uncle has arranged a job for them."

"I don't know the specifics, but I'll definitely tell Grandma when my uncle comes back."

Grandma Li was peeling and eating a banana and didn't notice that her grandson's expression was off.

She nodded, stuffed the banana into her grandson's hand, and smiled as she showed off, "Come on, try this fruit called banana."

"Old Hei and the others brought these back from Yunzhou Prefecture. They're especially soft and sweet. Your sister planted them in the greenhouse, and they actually survived! We can cut off a whole bunch every time!"

Actually, this kind of banana also exists in Quanzhou Prefecture, and Jiaren had already eaten it during his recent trip.

I originally wanted to bring some back, but this stuff is fragile and doesn't keep well; it turns black and rots in just five or six days.

Unexpectedly, after traveling a long distance back home, he was able to eat it again.

He followed his grandmother's lead and praised her a few times, which made the old lady even happier.

As darkness fell, the women, young and old, ate a simple bowl of shredded pork noodles and then went to rest in the backyard.

The front yard immediately became a paradise for the boys. They had just finished digesting their food, so they plunged into the hot spring pool in the side room, soaking in the water, having water fights, and laughing so hard they almost lifted the roof off.

Lu Zong and Jia Xu enjoyed soaking in a hot spring again!

Just as Cat Brother said, although the Li family wasn't a grand mansion, their food and lodging were top-notch and comfortable.

They were really reluctant to say goodbye...

But after breakfast the next morning, they still took the Li family's carriage back to the city.

Jia Xu wanted to go home to see his parents and elders.

Lu Zong also owns a house in the city. He plans to write more about his experiences in Quanzhou and then send the book back to his father. It will be his "year-end summary" after being away from home for so long...

Jiaren wanted to see them off, but they both declined.

The Li family has finally reunited, so it's good to spend more time together.

Cat Brother and Li Brother hadn't been back for a long time, and everything in the village looked new and exciting.

So the two of them took their younger sister and pulled their older brother to play.

At this time of year, the mountains are covered in snow, making it impossible to climb up.

The only place you can walk around is the hot spring valley.

Enjoying the snow while soaking in hot springs is a refined activity highly regarded by many people both inside and outside Xindu. As a result, the hot spring valley has been packed with people ever since the snow fell.

Fearing problems, the village cut off all walk-in tourists and only accepted guests with reservations each day.

Knowing the exact number of people and their genders makes it easier to make arrangements and provide care.

In particular, the kitchen has recently introduced small clay pot stews.

Place a clay pot on a charcoal stove, put in chicken, mushrooms, pickled cabbage, frozen tofu, or shredded radish and meatballs, and simmer it until it's steaming hot. Serve it with a bowl of white rice, a bowl of braised pork with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, and a dish of pickled vegetables—that's the perfect set meal.

For just a few hundred coins, customers can enjoy a hot meal.

Although the annual income from growing melons and fruits in Suijintan is very high.

However, the hot spring valley remains the main source of grain for the village, and the income is steady and gradually accumulates...

Jiaren played with his younger siblings in the valley for more than half an hour, then carried his sister on his back and led his brothers home.

When they reached the village entrance, they saw a horse-drawn carriage parked in front of their house.

The siblings walked over, and before they could ask anything, the car door opened, and a girl in a blue dress was about to get off.

Perhaps she didn't expect anyone to be outside, and startled, she lost her footing and fell down.

Jiaren quickly stepped forward and stretched out his arm.

In her haste, the girl grabbed his arm, and he finally landed safely on the ground.

Then, a boy jumped out of the carriage and shouted, "Sister, are you alright? Did you twist your ankle?"

The girl quickly shook her head, then led her younger brother and several siblings to pay their respects.

The young woman was none other than Xing Wan'er.

They had prepared a New Year's gift for the Li family, and since the weather was still relatively fine today, she brought her younger brother over for a visit.

Unexpectedly, she saw Jiaren as soon as she got off the bus.

Remembering the tacit understanding between the two families regarding the marriage agreement, she became shy and lost her composure, thus embarrassing herself again...

Xing Wan'er's face turned bright red; she wished she could disappear into the ground.

She was always the most well-behaved and had the most dignified manners; she never made a mistake.

But against Jiaren, he made a series of mistakes...

Li Ge'er and Mao Ge'er had also heard of this Xing family girl. Now, seeing her standing with their older brother, both blushing and exchanging pleasantries, they couldn't help but wink and make faces, laughing uncontrollably.

Similarly, Xing Ning was also sizing up Jia Ren, her future brother-in-law, by looking him up and down.

He really wanted to find something wrong with Jiaren to prove that he was not good enough for his sister, so that his sister would not have to get married!

Unfortunately, after looking for a while, he became somewhat discouraged.

Jiaren was tall and handsome, with clear and honest eyes, and a refined and cultured demeanor...

Such a young master, paired with his sister, is actually... barely acceptable.

Jiayin had already jumped off her brother's back. Seeing the pink hearts fluttering between Wan and her brother, she couldn't bear to disturb them.

But this is right in front of my house; I can't keep blocking it forever.

She ran over, took Wan'er's hand, and said with a smile, "Sister Wan'er, why did you take so long to come? I missed you so much!"

"You promised to give me the handkerchief last time, have you forgotten? I'm so sad!"

"No, no," Wan'er quickly replied, straightening Jiayin's askew cloak and smiling, "Of course I remember. I embroidered four handkerchiefs for you these past few days, I'll bring them to you in a bit."

"Great! Great!" Jiayin beamed with joy, pulling Wan'er inside and calling out, "Grandma, Wan'er is here!"

Li Ge'er and Mao Ge'er also pulled Xing Ning in from the left and right, asking him what kind of snacks he liked to eat and what kind of games he liked to play, trying to help their brother win over this brother-in-law as soon as possible!

Hearing the commotion, Grandma Li came out of the house. When she saw her eldest grandson and Wan'er coming in together, she was overjoyed and quickly invited them inside to warm up.

Zhao Yuru had never met Wan'er, but she knew that this was the future eldest grandson's wife whom everyone in the family liked.

So she put down her work and joined her mother-in-law in serving the guests.

Wan'er led her younger brother to pay respects to the elders, dignified and composed, and presented the New Year's gifts prepared by the family one by one.

Finally, she took out the needle and thread she had made herself.

In addition to the set of clothes and shoes prepared for Dr. Zhang, Old Lady Li also received a simple padded jacket.

Although the material wasn't expensive silk, it was the softest and most comfortable fine cotton, with fine and even stitches, embroidered with floral patterns, and fit exceptionally well.

Grandma Li beamed from ear to ear, praising Wan'er repeatedly, "Wan'er has such good skills. Wenjuan just sewed me a mink hat, so we can wear it together for the New Year."

"Haha, I'm the happiest old lady in our village."

Wenjuan sat to one side, her belly protruding, listening to her grandmother's fondness for her future sister-in-law, yet not forgetting her as well. This made her feel truly comforted and happy.

Zhao Yuru laughed and said, "Yes, Mother. I can be lazy now. These children are all so skillful!"

"Oh dear, that won't do!" Old Mrs. Li tugged at her daughter-in-law's hand and said, "They sew clothes, but you can make shoes. The shoes you make will fit the best!"

Zhao Yuru sighed, pretending to be troubled, and said, "Sigh, it's really not easy to take a break. My mother-in-law is just too shrewd."

"Hmph, you're only just realizing this now? Too late!" Old Mrs. Li said smugly, hands on her hips. "You've been married into this family for so many years, you'll be a grandson soon, and you still want to run away? No way!"

Everyone laughed heartily, and the room became extremely lively for a moment.